Lipoprotein ratios are better than conventional lipid parameters in predicting arterial stiffness in young men

Abstract

Although dyslipidemia is associated with cardiovascular disease, there are conflicting data about the role of serum lipids and their ratios in promoting arterial stiffness. The authors aimed to compare serum lipid profiles to predict arterial stiffness, which was assessed by brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity in young Chinese men. A total of 1015 participants aged 18 to 44 years without serious comorbidities were recruited for conventional detection. Anthropometrics, brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity, serum lipids, and other laboratory data were measured. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were performed to examine the relationship between serum lipid profiles and brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity. Participants with high brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity exhibited higher levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, non–high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C), total cholesterol/HDL‐C, TG/HDL‐C, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol/HDL‐C, and non–HDL‐C/HDL‐C. The subsequent multivariable logistic regression showed that TG/HDL‐C, total cholesterol/HDL‐C, non–HDL‐C/HDL‐C, and TG significantly increased the risk for arterial stiffness after adjustment for confounding factors. Results indicate that lipid ratios are superior to conventional lipid parameters for predicting arterial stiffness in young men and that the TG/HDL‐C ratio has the strongest association with arterial stiffness.

The relationships between lipid ratios and arterial stiffness

“…In the current issue of the Journal, Wen and coworkers assessed the relationships of lipids and their ratio with baPWV in a wide group of young Chinese men. They found that lipid ratios were better associated with baPWV than conventional single lipid parameters.…”

“…They found that lipid ratios were better associated with baPWV than conventional single lipid parameters. In multivariate analyses, the triglyceride (TG)/high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) ratio appears to be most closely associated with arterial stiffness, followed by the non–HDL‐C/HDL‐C ratio, and then total cholesterol/HDL‐C and TG …”

“…Several potential mechanisms may explain the link between TG/HDL‐C and arterial stiffness . Plasma TG and HDL‐C concentrations are independently related to insulin‐mediated glucose disposal, and many studies suggest that the TG/HDL‐C ratio provides a simple way to identify individuals who are insulin resistant and at increased cardiometabolic risk…”

Utility of obesity and metabolic dyslipidemia (a non‐insulin based determinate of the metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance) in predicting arterial stiffness

“…TG/HDL-C is also regarded as a strong indicator of increased small dense low-density lipoprotein particles which, compared with larger low-density lipoprotein particles, exhibit a greater negative impact on endothelial stiffness and function and arterial distensibility. [5][6][7][8][9][10] In the current study, the investigators report the use of the METS-IR in a population at risk for CVD correlates with arterial stiffness and is a predictor of incident hypertension. 11 The inclusion of BMI as a surrogate for visceral adiposity in the METS-IR is relevant as recent data support a strong link between adipose tissue remodeling of both visceral fat and perivascular fat in the development of vascular IR and stiffness (Figure 1).…”

“…Plasma TG and HDL‐C concentrations are related to insulin‐mediated glucose disposal, and many studies suggest that the TG/HDL‐C ratio provides a simple way to identify individuals who are IR and are at increased cardiometabolic risk. TG/HDL‐C is also regarded as a strong indicator of increased small dense low‐density lipoprotein particles which, compared with larger low‐density lipoprotein particles, exhibit a greater negative impact on endothelial stiffness and function and arterial distensibility …”